Backstage Casting Call Podcast
Industry insights from the team behind the top casting platform
Overview
The Backstage Casting Call Podcast is produced by Backstage, the long-running casting publication and platform. It features interviews with casting directors, agents, and actors who share insider knowledge about how the industry really works.
Episodes often focus on specific aspects of the casting process, including what casting directors look for, how to nail self-tapes, and how to build a competitive resume. The show draws on Backstage's deep industry connections.
How It Works
Valuable for actors at all levels who want to hear directly from the people making casting decisions. The insider perspectives offered are difficult to find elsewhere without industry connections.
Free on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Who Uses It
Recommended for anyone actively auditioning who wants to understand the casting side of the equation. The direct access to casting director perspectives is the show's greatest strength. The podcast benefits from Backstage's institutional relationships across the entertainment industry, which means the show can attract high-profile guests including casting directors from major network shows, feature films, and Broadway productions who share insights that would otherwise require expensive workshops or personal industry connections to access. The show also covers industry trends and changes in casting practices — such as the evolution of self-taping technology, the impact of AI on casting, and shifts in diversity and inclusion requirements — that directly affect how actors approach their submissions and auditions.
Pricing & Plans
The Backstage Casting Call Podcast is completely free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. The podcast is produced by Backstage as part of its broader content ecosystem, which includes the paid casting platform (subscriptions starting at approximately $12.99 per month). However, the podcast itself requires no Backstage subscription to access — it is available to everyone regardless of whether they use the Backstage casting platform. The show does naturally reference Backstage's services and features, but this promotional element is integrated organically rather than detracting from the editorial content.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The podcast's greatest strength is the caliber and diversity of its guests, which reflects Backstage's deep industry relationships built over decades as one of the entertainment industry's most trusted casting platforms. Casting directors who appear on the show provide specific, actionable advice about what they look for in auditions, how they review submissions, and the common mistakes that cause actors to be passed over — this information directly translates to better audition preparation and submission strategies. The show's coverage of the evolving casting landscape, including digital submissions, virtual callbacks, and the growing role of social media in casting, helps actors stay current with practices that are constantly changing. Episodes that feature agents and managers provide valuable insight into the representation relationship from the other side of the desk, helping actors understand how to attract and maintain productive relationships with their representatives.
What Could Be Better
As a Backstage-produced show, the podcast naturally promotes the Backstage platform, which can occasionally feel like an extended advertisement for the service rather than independent journalism. The show's advice is primarily oriented toward the American film and television market, with less coverage of theater casting, international work, or specialized niches like voiceover and motion capture. Some episodes cover topics at a general level that may feel basic for experienced actors who already have established relationships with casting directors and agents. The podcast does not extensively cover acting technique or craft development, focusing instead on the business mechanics of casting and career management. The show's episode frequency and consistency can vary, with periods of regular weekly releases interspersed with gaps.
Our Recommendation
Actors who are actively auditioning and want to understand the casting process from the inside should subscribe to the Backstage Casting Call Podcast — the direct access to casting director perspectives is genuinely valuable and difficult to replicate through other free resources. The show is particularly useful for actors who are new to the industry or who are transitioning between mediums (theater to film, commercial to episodic) and need to understand the different expectations and practices in each sector. Pair this podcast with technique-focused shows to ensure you are developing both your craft and your understanding of the business mechanics of casting. If you already have extensive experience with casting directors and a strong understanding of the submission and audition process, the show may feel introductory, and podcasts focused on advanced career strategy or industry analysis may be more stimulating.
Pro Tips
When a casting director appears on the show and discusses specific preferences for auditions or self-tapes, implement their advice immediately in your next submission — the specificity of casting director feedback is the most actionable intelligence the show provides. Keep a running document of casting director names, credits, and preferences mentioned on the podcast, as this information builds your knowledge of the casting community and helps you personalize your approach when submitting to specific CDs. Pay particular attention to episodes that discuss common audition mistakes, as eliminating these errors is often the fastest way to improve your booking rate. If the podcast discusses a Backstage feature or tool that could benefit your casting workflow, evaluate it objectively alongside competing platforms rather than defaulting to Backstage simply because the podcast recommends it. Share particularly insightful casting director interviews with your acting class or professional community, as discussing their feedback collectively helps everyone calibrate their approach to submissions and auditions.